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Alabama  Centennial  Commission 


Alabama,  or  the  Making 
of  a State 

Wherein  are  Presented  Some  of  the  More 
Important  Events  in  Pioneer  Life  and 
the  Transition  from  Territory 
to  State 

Third  of  a Series  of  Historical  Plays  in  Commemo- 
ration of  the  Close  of  a Century 
of  Statehood 

By  Marie  Bankhead  Owen 


Issued  by  the  Commission 


Montgomery,  Alabama 
The  Paragon  Press 
1919 


Alabama  Centennial  Commission 

Created  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  February  17,  1919. 

Headquarters : Montgomery 

His  Exellency,  Thomas  E.  Kilby,  Governor, 
ex-officio,  Chairman 

Dr.  Thomas  M.  Owen,  Director,  Department  of 
Archives  and  History,  ex-officio,  Secretary 
and  Historian. 

Fitzhugh  Lee,  State  Auditor,  ex-officio 

Spright  Dowell,  Superintendent  of  Education, 
ex-officio 

Dr.  Thomas  C.  McCorvey,  University,  Ala. 

Dr.  George  Petrie,  Auburn,  Ala. 

Mrs.  Bibb  Graves,  Montgomery,  Ala. 

David  Holt,  Newspaper  Publicity  Director, 
Montgomery,  Ala. 


The  Commission,  created  by  enactment  of  the  Legislature,  has 
for  its  activities  the  encouragement  of  general  interest  in  the 
history  of  the  State,  the  general  observance  of  the  100th  anni- 
versary of  Statehood,  the  marking  of  historic  spots,  and  the  pub- 
lication of  local  and  other  historical  materials.  Wide  organ- 
ized publicity  has  been  given  its  plans.  The  most  general  co- 
operation has  been  promised.  Correspondence  invited. 

Address  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Owen,  Director  of  the  Centenary, 
State  Capitol,  Montgomery 


Copyrighted,  1919. 


EXPLANATORY  NOTE. 


In  the  preparation  of  “Alabama,  or  The  Making  of  a State” 
third  of  the  series  of  historical  plays,  the  author  has  found  it 
necessary  to  somewhat  violate  certain  of  the  principles  of  or- 
dinary play  construction,  because  of  the  length  of  time  cov- 
ered by  the  four  historical  episodes  used  to  illustrate  life  in 
the  territorial  period,  and  the  transition  to  statehood. 

Numerous  characters  are  introduced,  some  historical,  while 
others  are  types  merely  of  the  pioneers  who  thronged  the  ter- 
ritory. Some  are  introduced  to  illustrate  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  period. 

The  temptation  to  violate  the  “unity  of  place,”  by  trans- 
ferring the  action  of  the  play  from  Huntsville  to  Fort  Jack- 
son  for  the  third  scene,  was  irresistible,  not  only  because  of 
the  dramatic  possibilities  afforded,  but  also  because  it  seemed 
desirable  to  thus  emphasize  the  importance  of  the  Creek  War, 
and  its  far-reaching  results,  both  upon  the  Indians  and  upon 
the  white  settlers,  who  rushed  into  the  territory  as  soon  as 
the  newly  ceded  lands  were  thrown  open  for  settlement. 

Huntsville  was  selected  as  the  scene  of  the  play  because  it 
was  the  most  populous  locality  in  the  territory  and  also  be- 
cause of  the  leadership  and  the  historic  events  centered  there. 


4 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


COSTUMES. 

SCENE  ONE 

Leroy  Pope,  Gabriel  Moore,  Clement  C.  Clay  wear  black  broad- 
cloth coats  that  may  be  fashioned  like  the  present  evening  coat, 
or  with  full  coat-skirts  somewhat  like  the  Prince  Albert,  or  even 
like  the  cutaway  coat  with  fancy  vests.  The  trousers  are  long, 
and  the  shirt  is  white  with  stock  collars  and  ruffled  fronts.  The 
cuffs  are  either  lace  ruffles  or  stiff  white  cuffs  turned  back  over 
the  coat  cuff.  The  stock  tie  may  be  either  white  or  black. 

Mrs.  Moore,  Mrs.  Pope,  Mrs.  Clay  and  Mrs.  Walker  wear  full 
skirts,  tight  waists,  lace  at  the  round  neck  and  at  elbows.  On 
their  heads  are  white  or  black  lace  caps,  much  like  the  boudoir 
caps  of  today. 

The  military  men  are  in  uniform,  the  officers  with  coats  cut 
like  the  present  day  dress-suit,  revieres,  cuffs  and  linings  of 
coat  tails  caught  together  on  the  thigh,  with  a button.  The  en- 
listed men  wear  jackets,  trousers,  shoes  and  leggins.  John  Hunt 
is  dressed  as  a pioneer. 

The  young  ladies  of  the  ball  may  disguise  their  present-day 
evening  gowns  by  the  addition  of  over-draperies  or  scrafs  to 
give  fullness.  Their  hair  should  be  dressed  true  to  the  period, 
parted  in  the  middle  and  looped  across  the  temples,  carried 
back  into  a coil  with  bunches  of  curls  either  at  the  temples,  or 
hanging  from  the  coil.  The  home-seeking  women  and  children 
are  in  homespun  frocks  and  wear  sun-bonnets,  nubias,  shaws,  etc. 

SCENE  TWO 

Moore,  Pope,  Clay,  Maderra,  Hammond,  Mosley  and  the  mi- 
litiamen are  dressed  as  in  scene  one.  General  Jackson  wears  a 
blue  military  coat  with  gold  braid  across  the  breast,  epaulets 
with  fringe,  revieres,  cuffs  and  coat-tail  revieres  of  buff.  His 
hat  is  cocked,  front  and  back. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 
SCENE  THREE 


5 


Generals  Pinckney  and  Jackson  are  dressed  as  Gen  Jackson 
in  scene  two.  Coffee,  Reid  and  Caller  wear  shoulder  straps  on 
their  uniform  instead  of  fringed  epaulets,  Col.  Hawkins  is  in 
civilian  clothes.  Weatherford  and  Big  Warrior  wear  fringed 
buckskin  jackets,  fringed  breeches,  shoes.  The  fringe  on  the 
jacket  and  down  the  seam  of  the  breeches  may  be  made  from 
yellow  cloth.  Big  Warrior  is  stained  a dark-reddish  tan,  but 
Weatherford,  the  half-breed  is  of  much  lighter  complexion.  They 
wear  feathers  in  their  long  hair. 

SCENE  FOUR 

All  the  public  men  are  dressed  as  were  the  gentlemen  in  scene 
one.  Old  fashioned  “beaver”  hats,  or  modern  evening  hats  may 
be  worn  or  carried.  General  Jackson  may  wear  a long,  double- 
caped  overcoat,  and  is  not  in  uniform.  The  pioneers  and  sports- 
men should  be  dressed  to  conform  to  their  characters,  the  former 
flashily,  the  latter  in  substantial  homespun,  or  simple  clothes  as 
suggested  in  scene  one. 


PERSONS  CONCERNED  IN  SCENE  ONE 


John  Hunt,  founder  of  Huntsville. 

Judge  Leroy  Pope,  the  leading  citizen. 

Mrs.  Pope,  his  wife. 

Gabriel  Moore. 

John  D.  Walker. 

Mrs.  Walker,  his  wife. 

Clement  Comer  Clay. 

Mrs.  Clay,  his  wife. 

Archibald  Maderra,  Tavern  Keeper. 

Captain  Jack  Mosley,  of  “Hazel  Green.” 

Captain  Eli  Hammond,  of  the  “Mounted  Rangers.” 
Mr.  Parham,  editor  of  “The  Madison  Gazette.” 

A Slave-drover. 

A Horse-packman. 

A Homeseeker,  wife  and  three  children. 

A Messenger. 

A number  of  young  men  and  women. 

Two  Fiddlers. 

Two  Negro  Men  Slaves 


Alabama,  or  the  Making  of  a State 

PROLOGUE 

Good  friends,  our  company  of  players  will  now  set  before  you 
four  episodes  from  the  stirring  history  of  Alabama  that  took 
place  during  the  years  1813,  when  we  were  still  the  eastern  half 
of  Mississippi  Territory,  and  1819,  when  Alabama  Territory  be- 
came a Federal  State. 

The  territory  which  we  now  so  happily  claim  as  Alabama  was 
invaded  in  1540  by  Spaniards  under  De  Soto.  Of  this  event  we 
have  told  you  in  the  first  of  the  Centenary  plays — “The  Battle 
of  Maubilla.”  More  than  a century  and  a half  elapsed  before 
white  men  again  came  to  our  shores,  and  these  were  the  French, 
under  the  leadership  of  the  intrepid  Ibervill  and  his  brother  Bi- 
enville. Of  this,  the  first  permanent  settlement,  we  have  told 
you  in  the  second  Centenary  play,  “At  Old  Mobile.” 

Another  century  passed,  and  we  see  the  families  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon,  the  Protestant  peoples,  who  had  settled  Virginia,  New 
England  and  other  parts  of  the  Atlantic  Seaboard,  moving  into 
our  territory,  building  homes  and  planting  the  civilization  that 
had  made  the  mother  country  great. 

Varying  motives  induced  these  territorial  settlers  to  found 
homes  here.  Some  were  sincere  in  their  loyalty  to  the  English 
kings,  and  as  Tories,  not  desiring  to  live  at  strife  with  their  for- 
mer neighbors,  moved  into  the  wilderness,  then  known  as  the 
Georgia  Western  country.  Some  were  Whigs  who  had  borne 
arms  against  old  England  and  sought  a wider  range  for  the  en- 
joyment of  their  hard  won  liberty.  Some  were  adventurers  who 
wanted  that  freedom,  akin  to  license,  only  to  be  found  far  from 
the  reach  of  law.  Some,  and  these  were  the  greater  number, 
were  led  hither  by  romance  and  the  lure  of  the  unknown  and  the 
untried,  brave  men  and  women,  who  faced  the  hardships  of  pio- 
neer life  with  the  zest  of  children  on  a holiday  excursion;  men 
and  women  who  rode  on  horseback  through  the  dim  trails  of  the 
Indian  wilds  or  drifted  down  the  broad  rivers  and  winding 
streams  in  insecure  boats  to  found  new  homes  in  the  fertile  val- 
leys, or  upon  the  gently  undulating  hills  with  their  crystal 


8 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


springs,  or  upon  the  mountain  tops  with  sweeping  views,  or  upon 
the  bay  shore  where  coming  and  going  ships  kept  them  in  touch 
with  the  outer  world. 

But  pioneer  homes  were  not  set  up  without  dangers.  The  sav- 
age who  had  inhabited  the  land  from  time  immemorial,  fully  re- 
alized that  the  advent  of  the  white  man  in  his  midst  would  finally 
lead  to  his  own  destruction.  He  used  every  means  known  to 
his  unschooled  mind  to  turn  back  the  tide  of  immigration.  Lonely 
families  were  massacred  and  robbed  by  the  savages;  whole  com- 
munities, upon  learning  of  threatened  attacks,  gathered  in  forts 
for  their  mutual  protection.  But  these  too  often  proved  inade- 
quate for  defense  and  some  of  the  bloodiest  Indian  massacres 
in  American  history  took  place  upon  Alabama  soil. 

It  was  to  avenge  these  attacks  upon  the  defenseless  settlers 
made  by  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife,  that  the  troops  of  our 
border  states  rushed  to  the  scene  of  intrigue  and  bloodshed. 
Tennessee  Militia,  led  by  General  Andrew  Jackson,  Georgia  Mi- 
litia, under  command  of  General  Floyd,  Mississippi  Militia,  un- 
der General  Claiborne,  and  volunteer  fighting  men,  took 
up  the  battle  cry  and  through  force  of  arms  made  se- 
cure the  life  and  property  of  as  hardy  and  worthy  a people  as 
ever  created  a commonwealth. 

The  third  Centenary  play,  “Alabama,  or  The  Making  of  a 
State”  will  review,  for  your  entertainment  and  instruction, 
scenes  from  the  Creek  War  period  of  our  history  and  following 
that  the  inflow  of  new  settlers,  and  the  assembling  of  the  first 
Legislature  of  the  State  which  met  at  Huntsville,  the  temporary 
capitol. 

We  are  honoring  ourselves  in  honoring  these  founders  of  our 
State,  when  we  pause  to  contemplate  their  difficulties  and  the 
noble  heritage  they  have  left  to  us.  That  you  have  come  to 
witness  our  presentation  of  these  scenes  is  evidence  that  you 
have  a full  appreciatoin  of  the  occasion,  and  a gratitude  to  our 
forefathers  for  what  they  did  to  make  us  secure  and  great.  We 
thank  you.  ( Bow . Exit.) 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


9 


SCENE  ONE 

Place  i The  public  room  of  Madeira’s  tavern,  Huntsville, 
Miss.  Territory.  ( There  are  doors  at  rigli  and  at  left , a window 
at  ieftj  hung  with  a white  muslin  curtain.  At  center  hack  is 
a clerk’s  desk  and  above  this  a rack  holding  guns , with  shot 
bags  and  'powder  horns  as  well  as  pistols  in  their  holsters  hang- 
ing from  the  hooks.  A glowing  fire  burns  in  the  fireplace,  right, 
and  above  the  mantleshelf  is  a deer’s  head  or  horns . There  is 1 
also  a picture  of  George  Washington,  President  Madisort,  then 
in  office  or  some  other  Revolutionary  celebrity . In  a corner 4 
is  a tall  clock . Candles  are  burning.  Benches  are  against  the 
walls  and  chairs  are  placed  about  the  room  if  space  admits.  Fid- 
dles are  heard  off  stage,  right , playing  a rolicking  dance  twie. 
At  rise  of  curtain  Maderra,  proprietor  of  the  tavern,  and  several 
young  people  are  laughing  and  talking.) 

Maderra.  That’s  a very  good  joke,  young  man.  But  you  had 
better  be  joining  the  dancers. 

The  Young  People . Adieu.  ( Exit  right.) 

Maderra.  Adieu.  ( Taking  a newspaper  from  the  clerk’s  desk, 
sitting  before  the  fire  to  read.) 

Enter  John  Hunt. 

(He  is  dressed  in  a backwoods  garb.)  Heigh! 

Maderra.  ( Rising  and  coming  forward  cordially .)  Well,  Mr. 
Hunt.  Glad  to  see  you.  (Placing  a chair  before  the  fire.) 
It’s  cool  for  early  October. 

Hunt.  (Speaking  with  a frontier  drawl.)  I thought  I’d  drop 
in  and  see  what’s  going  on  at  the  tavern. 

Maderra.  (Taking  a chair.)  If  any  man’s  welcome  to  peep 
in  on  Huntsville  making  merry,  you’re  that  man. 

Hunt.  It’s  not  so  long  either  since  Bean  and  I found  the  Big 
Spring.  Eighteen  hundred  and  five,  it  was,  just  eight  years 
ago.  There  were  some  friendly  Indians  settled  here  and 
there.  Old  Ditto  had  a landing  on  the  Tennesse  river  and 
was  one  of  the  few  white  men  in  all  this  region.  Joe  and 


10 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Isaac  Criner  had  settled  north  of  us.  ( He  lights  his  pipe 
from  the  candle .) 

Maderra . But  you  were  the  first  white  man  to  drink  out  of 
the  Big  Spring. 

Hunt . Bean  and  I came  along  together.  He  went  back  to  Ten- 
nessee, but  I staid  here.  Now  I’ve  sold  out  and  am  going 
back  to  old  Tennessee  myself.  My  family  are  already  on 
the  way. 

Maderra,  And  we  are  all  mighty  sorry  to  lose  you,  Mr.  Hunt. 
You’re  a prime  favorite  at  Huntsville. 

Hunt.  “Huntsville!”  ( Laughing  softly .)  Well  the  town’s  got 
my  name  and  I reckon  I won’t  be  forgot 

Maderra . I’m  glad  your  name  will  live  with  the  place,  too.  I 

never  Was  in  favor  of  calling  the  town  “Twickenham.” 

Hunt.  ( Lauching .)  “Twickenham!”  Well  it’s  been  a pretty 
stiff  fight  between  the  “Royal  Party”  and  the  “Castor  Oil 
Party.” 

Maderra.  And  your  side  has  won. 

Hunt.  Yes. 

Maderra.  ( Bringing  a bottle  and  glasses  from  behind  the  desk.) 
And  here’s  to  Huntsville  and  her  founder.  ( Both  drink.) 

Hunt.  That’s  mighty  good  licker,  Maderra.  It  warms  an  old 
man  up.  Makes  me  feel  like  going  into  the  hall  and  shaking 
a foot  with  the  young  folks. 

Maderra.  Of  course.  Who  is  so  welcome  at  the  muster  ball 
as  our  good  friend  Hunt?  This  way,  please.  Pick  out  the 
prettiest  girl  and  she’ll  be  honored  to  dance  with  you. 

Hunt.  ( Shaking  the  ashes  from  his  pipe.)  Well,  I’m  a ven- 
turesome man,  Maderra.  I’m  a venturesome  man.  ( Laugh- 
ing softly.  Exit.) 

Enter  Mr.  Parham. 

{He  is  a professional  looking  man.)  Good  evening  Maderra. 

Maderra.  ( Who  had  resumed  reading  the  paper.)  Come  in  Mr. 
Parham,  I was  just  looking  over  your  esteemed  journal, 
(<The  Madison  Gazette .” 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


11 


Parham.  You  can’t  build  a town  without  the  press,  Maderra. 
Glad  you  like  my  paper.  How  goes  the  muster  ball? 

Maderra . Hear  the  fiddles,  don’t  you?  The  young  people  are 
making  merry,  while  their  elders  look  on. 

Parham.  Everybody  here,  eh? 

Maderra.  I thought  two  months  ago  when  the  county  boys  came 
riding  in  for  the  muster  drill  that  we  had  crowds,  but  to- 
night we’ve  got  more  than  we  can  handle  in  the  taverns. 

Parham.  Madison  county  is  growing  amazingly.  It’s  been  about 
eight  years  since  Hunt  and  Bean  came  here,  and  by  the  cen- 
sus report  just  gathered  by  the  Government  agents  there  are 
more  people  in  this  county  than  in  all  the  rest  of  the  east- 
ern Mississippi  Territory  combined.  Mobile  and  the  south 
end  have  a hundred  years  the  start  of  us,  but  we  are  out- 
stripping them  all. 

Maderra.  It  looks  to  me  like  Tennessee  and  Georgia  are  liable 
to  be  depopulated  pretty  soon  ,the  way  people  from  those 
states  are  coming  in. 

Parham.  And  Kentucky,  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas  are  send- 
ing us  some  of  their  best  citizens.  Is  Judge  Leroy  Pope  at 
the  ball? 

Maderra.  The  judge  and  his  lady,  Mr.  John  W.  Walker  and 
lady,  Clement  Clay  and  lady,  Gabriel  Moore,  the  military 
officers  with  their  men  and  sweethearts* — the  Lord  only 
knows  who  else.  Go  in  and  pick  up  some  items  for  the 
Gazette . 

Parham.  Thank  you,  Maderra.  You’re  an  ideal  host.  {Exit.) 

Enter  Slave  Drover  and  Horse-Packman. 

(They  wear  back-woodsman  clothes,  boots  and  fur  caps. 

Across  their  shoulders  or  in  their  hands  are  their  saddle-bags.) 

Horse-packman.  HoJhere^MaderfSrK  Any  beds? 

Maderra.  GocnL^vening,  gentlemen.  Sorry^\but  every  bed  is 
takep^by  the  militia-men. 

~Horse -packman.  Muster  drill,  eh?  Well,  they’ll  need  it  by  and 
by.  The  Red  Sticks  ain’t  none  too  peacable. 


12 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Maderra.  Sorry  I can’t  put  you  up. 

Horse-packman . Sorry  too.  I’m  just  in  with  twenty  pack- 
horses  loaded  up  with  merchandise  for  Alexander  Gilbreath. 

( Taking  an  orange  from  his  pocket .)  A boat  from  Mobile 
brought  several  barrels  of  oranges  to  Tuskaloosa.  I got  a 
few  and  have  brought  them  with  my  packs.  ( Handing  one 
to  Maderra .)  How  does  that  smell? 

Maderra,  { Taking  the  orange  and  smelling  it  with  pleasure .) 
Ah,  fine. 

Slave-drover.  I ain’t  brought  no  such  a sweet-smelling  merch- 
andise to  Huntsville  as  the  gent  thar.  Mine’s  niggers.  Two 
hundred  of  ’em,  and  the  best  quality. 

Maderra.  You’ll  sell  them  out  before  noon  tomorrow.  The  slave 
market  is  good  here.  Our  new  comers  have  brought  many 
slaves  with  them,  but  the  lands  are  rich,  cotton,  a ready 
money  crop  and  labor  in  demand. 

Slave-drover , {To  horse-packman .)  Well,  friend,  I reckon  we’d 
better  be  hunting  us  a shed.  {To  Maderra .)  Sorry  beds 
are  short  tonight.  So  long.  {Exit  Slave-drover  and  horse- 
packman.) 

Enter  Traveler , wife  and  three  children. 

Traveler.  Good  evening,  Mister. 

Maderra.  Good  evening,  Sir.  Come  in.  Good  evening  Madam. 
Come  children,  get  up  by  the  fire  and  warm  wourselves. 

Traveler.  We’ve  just  lit,  and  the  old  ’oman  and  the  chaps  is 
about  wore  out.  Ridin’  horseback  from  way  down  on  the 
Tombigbee  ain’t  no  joke  an’  hit  by  bridle  path  most  o’  the 
way. 

Maderra . Came  from  round  St.  Stephen’s  did  you? 

Traveler . Close  to  hit. 

Maderra.  What’s  the  condition  in  South  Alabama,  much  travel? 

Traveler.  Peers  like  the  whole  world’s  movin’  in.  Got  some 
ferries  now  and  home  seekers  is  huntin’  good  lands  all  over 
the  Territory.  But  we  set  out  for  these  parts  soon  as  we 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


13 


heard  ’bout  the  fine  lands  and  the  Big  Spring. 

Maderra . What  about  the  Indians? 

Traveler . La,  Mister,  the  Injuns  is  raisin’  hell.  Them  Spanish 
is  settin’  ’em  agin  the  white  folks — 

Traveler's  Wife.  An’  they  ain’t  forgot  all  the  lies  the  British 
told  ’em  durin’  of  the  Revolution. 

Small  boy . An’  them  Frenchers  ain’t  no  saints,  they  ain’t.  They’s 
all  agin  the  settlers. 

Small  Girl.  Pa  why  don’t  you  tell  him  ’bout  Tecumseh? 

Traveler . (To  Madera.)  My  folks  is  turrible  stirred  up  ’bout 
the  Injuns.  This  here  Tecumseh  come  down  our  way  and 
along  about  the  Hickory  Grounds  on  the  Coosa,  and  has 
raised  the  devil  ’mongst  the  Red  Sticks.  I heard  Sam  Dale 
say  that  the  British  sent  him  and  a crowd  of  painted  war- 
dancers  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Territory  to  bring  on 
war. 

His  wife.  And  war  it’s  a-goin’  to  be.  Hit  aint  safe  for  women 
and  chil’en  in  them  parts.  There’s  too  much  killin’. 

Small  boy.  Mister,  did  you  ever  hear  about  Bill  Weatherford? 

Maderra.  Yes,  sonny,  every  body  knows  about  Red  Eagle.  He’s 
some  big  Injun,  eh? 

Traveler . And  some  big  devil.  He’s  makin’  more  troubles 
than  all  the  rest  of  the  Red  Sticks.  He’s  a follerin’  Tecum- 
seh’s  war  notions.  Folks  is  killed  and  scalped  ev’ry  day. 

Small  Boy . Mister,  is  you  heered  ’bout  the  battle  of  Burnt 
Corn? 

Maderra . In  July.  Yes.  Your  friend  Captain  Sam  Dale  did 
a man’s  job  there. 

Traveler's  Wife.  The  settlers  is  puttin’  up  forts  round  about. 
They’s  countin’  on  trouble. 

Maderra.  And  Madam,  see  how  brave  the  women  and  children 
are  as  well  as  the  men.  Making  homes  in  the  midst  of  death ! 
It’s  wonderful! 

Smallest  child.  ( Beginning  to  cry.)  Quit  talkin’  ’bout  Injuns, 
I’s  skeerd.  (Wailing.) 


14 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Traveler's  wife.  ( Taking  the  little  one  in  her  arms  soothingly .) 
And  she’s  tired,  too.  (To  Maderra.)  I ain‘t  heered  you  say 
nothin’  ’bout  beddin’  us  yet. 

Maderra.  Well  Madam,  I’ve  turned  away  a score  of  men,  but 
when  it  comes  to  women  and  children — I’ll  give  you  my  room 
and  sleep  on  a shakedown  before  the  fire  here, 

Traveler.  Sorry  to  put  you  out  Mister,  but  as  I said  the  ole 
’oman  and  the  chaps  is  ’bout  wore  out. 

Maderra.  ( Ringing  the  office  bell.) 

Enter  a Negro  Servant . 

Servant.  Yas  sah,  marster. 

Maderra.  Take  these  travelers  to  my  room  and  see  that  there’s 
a good  fire  burning. 

( Traveler  and  his  family , with  thanks9  make  their  exit.) 

Re-enter  Mr.  Parham ^ accompanied  by  Judge  Pope9  Captain 
Eli  Hammond  and  Captain  Jack  Mosley, 

Judge  Pope.  I was  just  saying,  Mr.  Parham,  to  these  young 
gentlemen,  that  they  deserve  our  thanks  for  keeping  the  boys 
in  military  order.  If  I’m  a judge  of  conditions  we  are  far 
from  being  in  a settled  state. 

Mr.  Parham.  Captain  Mosley  and  Captain  Hammond  are  in- 
deed doing  a most  patriotic  service  to  the  whole  section. 

Captain  Mosley.  We  realize,  as  do  the  other  officers  of  the 
militia,  that  there  may  be  a call  to  arms  sooner  than  the 
general  public  thinks.  You  hear  everything,  from  travelers, 
Maderra.  What’s  your  opinion? 

Maderra.  The  Indians  in  the  Coosa  and  Tombigbee  country,  and 
even  nearer  us,  are  in  an  ugly  mood.  Homeseekers,  horse- 
men, every  traveler  that  comes  this  way  indicates  an  un- 
easy feeling. 

Enter  Two  Youig  Ladies. 

First  Young  Lady.  Mr.  Maderra,  we  have  a favor  to  ask. 

Maderra.  I’m  always  at  the  service  of  the  ladies.  ( Bowing  gal- 
lantly.) 

Second  Young  Lady.  The  crowds  are  so  large  we  can’t  dance 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


15 


well  in  the  hall.  Would  you  let  some  of  us  come  in  here — 
First  Young  Lady.  There  are  enough  fiddlers  for  both  places. 
Maderra . And  you  want  to  dance  in  the  public  room  too?  Very 
good.  Let  joy  be  unconfined. 

Both  Girls.  Oh,  thank  you. 

Captain  Mosley.  (To  the  girls.)  And  may  Captain  Hammond 
and  I escort  you  and  help  select  some  of  the  couples  to  come 
with  you?  (The  two  captains  offer  their  arms  to  the  girls 
and  the  four  go  out.) 

Maderra.  I can  never  say  no  to  the  ladies.  (Rings  the  bell  and 
two  negro  men  come  in.)  Remove  the  benches  and  chairs. 

(While  the  negro  servants  are  removing  the  furniture , the  fid- 
dlers come  in  and  begin  their  music.  In  a moment  a crowd  o/J 
young  people  pour  in  from  the  adjoining  hall  and  begin  to  dance 
a quadrille  with  animation  and  much  talking  and  laughing.  There 
is  some  buck  dancing  on  the  side  by  a few  young  men.  In  the 
midst  of  the  revel  a messenger  enters  hurriedly  and  holds  up  his 
hands  in  command.) 

Messenger.  Gentlemen!  (All  gather  about  to  listen  and  several 
men  to  question.)  The  Indians  have  massacred  five  hundred 
men,  women  and  children  at  Ft.  Mims  on  the  Alabama  river. 
All.  (Terrified  excitement).  Ah! 

Messenger.  The  Creek  Indians  have  sworn  to  destroy  the  white 
settlers  and  to  hold  to  the  land.  No  family  is  safe  and 
even  the  improvisd  forts  to  which  they  have  fled  are  poorly 
protected. 

Judge  Pope.  Why  does  not  General  Claibore  bring  more  sol- 
diers from  the  western  part  of  the  Territory?  We  are  all 
Mississippians  and  the  eastern  frontier  deserves  protection. 
Messenger . Claiborne  is  powerless  to  override  the  orders  of  his 
superior  officer,  General  Thomas  Flournoy  at  Ft.  Charlotte, 
Mobile.  He  is  under  the  impression  that  the  greatest  dan- 
ger rests  at  that  point  which  the  Spaniards  plot  secretly 
to  re-take  and  occupy,  claiming  that  it  belongs  to  Spain, 
and  the  British  openly  swear  to  capture. 


16  ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. . 

Captain  Mosley.  Are  all  the  Indian  nations  against  the  whites? 

Messenger . The  Chickasaws  have  listened  to  Col.  John  McKee 
and  are  banded  for  the  destruction  of  Creek  towns  and 
warriors.  They  marched  to  Tuskaloosa  Falls  to  burn  that 
village,  but  found  it  already  in  ashes.  The  Choctaws  un- 
der their  greatest  Chief  Pushmataha,  have  come  to  our  side, 
and  five  thousand  warriors  are  ready  to  fight  with  us.  This 
is  the  good  work  of  George  S.  Gains  and  Col.  Flood  Mc- 
Grew. 

Oantain  Hammond . (To  the  young  men.)  Well  boys,  we’ve 
got  our  work  cut  out.  Ft.  Mims  must  be  avenged. 

Captain  Mosley . Life  and  property  must  be  made  safe  for  every 
white  settler  in  this  great  Mississippi  T'erriotry.  I’m  ready, 
men!  Who’s  with  me?  ( The  excitement  is  intense , the  men 
rushing  forward  to  volunteer  for  the  war , the  women  talking 
to  each  other , some  weeping 9 some  showing  great  courage 
and  urging  the  men  forward.) 

Messenger . I’m  bound  for  Tennessee  to  get  Andrew  Jackson. 

All.  Hurrah  for  Jackson! 

Judge  Pope . Report  to  General  Jackson  that  we’ll  have  men 
here  to  jonit  his  troops. 

Alt  the  Men . Yes.  Here  and  ready.  ( Some  take  down  the 

guns  and  pistols  from  the  rack.) 

Messenger.  Farewell.  ( Exit.a 

All.  Farewell.  ( They  turn  to  each  other  and  begin  all  together 
to  talk  and  gesticulate  excitedly 9 a babel  of  noise  and  confu - 
usion.) 


CURTAIN. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 

SCENE  TWO 


17 


Persons  Concerned, 

General  Andrew  Jackson,  Major-General  Tennessee  Militia. 
John  Reid,  his  Secretary.  Archibald  Maderra 

Judge  Leroy  Pope.  Captain  Eli  Hammond 

Mr.  Gabriel  Moore  Captain  Jack  Mosley 

John  W.  Walker  A Messenger 

Clement  Comer  Clay  Militiamen  (without) 


SCENE  2,  THE  SAME  AS  SCENE  1. 

Two  Weeks  Later 

( The  speech  of  General  Jackson  to  the  crowds  are  his  own 
words,) 

( The  curtain  has  been  down  only  a few  moments  to  indicate 
the  passing  of  time.  At  rise  Jude  Leroy  Pope , Gabriel  Mooref 
John  W.  Walker  and  Clemen  Comer  Clay  are  on  stage,) 

Judge  Pope,  ( He  is  walking  about  anxiously.)  It  will  be  ut- 
terly impossible  for  General  Jackson  to  recover  from  his 
wounds  in  time  to  lead  the  troops. 

Mr,  Clay.  ( There  is  a moment  of  silence , all  showing  gratae  con- 
cern.) If  the  Bentons  could  only  have  held  off  their  attack 
until  the  Creeks  were  whipped ! J ackson  has  been  the  idol 
of  the  frontiersmen  since  he  disobeyed  orders  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  and  carried  his  army  back  to  Tennessee  before 
disbanding  it,  following  the  futile  Natchez  rendezvous. 

Mr.  Moore.  Governor  Blount  of  Tennessee  has  called  for  three 
thousand  men.  Their  legislature  has  appropriated  $300,000.00 
to  pay  and  feed  them,  expecting  the  Government  to  repay 
the  bill.  These  steps,  together  with  the  danger  of  a general 
Indian  attack  upon  the  Georgia  and  Tennessee  frontiers 
will  impel  many  men  to  take  up  arms  in  defense  of  their  fire- 
sides. 

Mr.  Walker.  Since  Jackson  beat  John  Sevier  by  that  tie  vote 
for  Major  General  of  Tennessee  Militia,  he’s  been  waiting 


18  ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 

for  a good  chance  to  show  his  military  qualities.  The  time 
has  come.  I don’t  believe  the  doctors  will  be  able  to  hold 
“Old  Hickory”  in  his  bed  at  “The  Hermitage ” in  spite  of  his 
shattered  shoulder  and  arm. 

Judge  Pope.  But,  Walker,  remember  its  been  less  than  a month 
since  he  was  shot.  It  would  be  suicide  to  attempt  the  hard- 
ships of  a wilderness  campaign  in  his  condition. 

Walker.  Andrew  Jackson  has  more  than  a mortal’s  will. 

Enter  Maderra. 

(He  carefully  closes  the  door  after  him.) 

Judge  Pope.  Well  Maderra. 

Maderra.  A message  has  come  from  Nashville.  General  Jackson 
has  gone  to  Fayetteville  to  meet  his  army. 

dll . Hurrah  for  Jackson!  ( They  show  great  satisfaction.) 

Jlay And  from  Fayetteville  to  Huntsville  is  but  thirty-two 

miles.  A good  day’s  march  for  infantry. 

(There  is  knocking  at  the  door.) 

Maderra.  (Looking  out  cautiously t speaking  to  Messenger) . 
What  is  it? 

Messenger.  I bring  a message  from  General  Jackson. 

Maderra.  (Speaking  to  the  gentlemen  within.)  It  is  a messen- 
ger from  General  Jackson. 

Judge  Pope.  Admit  him. 

Enter  Messenger. 

Messenger.  (Saluting.)  I am  looking  for  Judge  Pope. 

Judge  Pope.  I am  he. 

Messenger.  General  Jackson  presents  his  compliments  and 
wishes  you  to  know  his  troops  will  reach  Huntsville  tonight. 

All.  Tonight!  We  will  be  ready  for  them. 

Judge  Pope.  How  many  men? 

Messenger.  A large  force. 

Walker.  And  they  have  been  marching  all  day? 

Messenger.  No,  sir.  At  noon  General  Jackson  received  orders 
to  march.  At  three  o’clock  this  afternoon  the  troops  moved. 
At  eight  tonight  they  will  be  here. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


19 


Walker . Thirty-two  miles  in  five  hours? 

Pope.  Impossible. 

Messenger.  Nothing  is  impossible  with  God  and  Andy  Jackson. 
{Exit.)  ( The  noise  of  advancing  horsemen  is  heard . The 
clock  begins  to  strike  eight  o’clock.) 

All.  Jackson!  Jackson! 

Maderra.  { Throwing  open  the  door.)  General  Jackson. 

Enter  General  Jackson. 

{ He  is  followed  by  John  Reid9  his  Secretary.) 

Jackson.  { His  left  arm  is  in  a sling9  his  shoulder  bandaged .) 
Gentlemen. 

All.  General  Jackson.  {They  ring  his  free  hand  eagerly.) 

Jackson.  This  is  my  Secretary,  Mr.  Reid.  {To  Mr.  . Reid.) 
Judge  Pope,  Mr.  Walker,  Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Maderra. 
{They  shake  hands.) 

General  Jackson.  I'm  this  far,  gentlemen,  upon  my  way  to 
the  Creek  Indian  Country. 

Mr.  Clay.  And  right  welcome  you  are.  May  I have  the  pleas- 
ure of  entertaining  you  in  my  home  tonight?  You  must 
spare  yourself  in  every  possible  way. 

Jackson.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Clay.  It  was  Napoleon  who  said 
that  a General  should  sleep  with  his  troops. 

Judge  Pope.  That  rule  should  not  apply  to  Generals  who  have 
new  wounds. 

Jackson.  To  illustrate — if  our  Government  agent,  Mr.  Hawkins, 
had  remained  on  the  spot  during  his  Peace  Council  with  the 
Creek  Chiefs  and  Warriors,  Tecumseh  would  not  have  so  ef- 
fectively made  his  war  speech  at  Hickory  Grounds. 

Judge  Pope.  A number  of  messengers  have  come  from  the 
seat  of  trouble.  All  say  that  the  Indians  are  well  determ- 
ined, through  Tecumseh’s  persuasions,  to  abandon  the  plow 
and  the  loom  and  to  take  up  their  savage  weapons  for  the 
complete  extermination  of  the  whites. 

Jackson.  I’ve  sent  Gen.  Coffee  on  ahead  with  seven  hundred 


20 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


cavalry  and  mounted  rifles  to  see  what  the  Red  Sticks  are 
doing. 

Judge  Pope.  It  will  be  a big  undertaking  to  feed  your  troops. 
There  are  no  roads  for  your  Commissary  wagons. 

Jackson . Fll  cut  roads  through  the  wilderness. 

Clay.  If  your  commissary  fails  to  connect  wtih  your  troops  you’ll 
starve. 

Jackson.  We’ll  eat  the  wild  beasts  of  the  woods.  Failing  that 
we’ll  eat  the  horses  of  the  troops. 

Walker.  There  are  mountains  to  pass. 

Jackson.  And  if  they  were  greater  than  the  Alps  I’d  pass  over 
them. 

Judge  Pope.  It  is  reported  that  the  Indians  are  marching  in 
this  direction. 

Jackson.  Not  to  be  outdone  in  politeness,  I’ll  endeavor  to  meet 
them  on  the  middle-ground. 

Mr.  Moore.  The  British  are  at  the  bottom  of  this  Indian  war. 

Jackson.  Yes.  They  cannot  stand  the  humiliation  of  the  Revo- 
lution. We  are  Britons,  also,  gentlemen,  with  some  of  their 
perversity.  We  will  not  yield  the  right  of  search,  they  shall 
not  have  equal  rights  with  us  in  navigation  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river.  We  will  keep  ships  of  war  on  the  Great  Lakes 
without  their  permission,  and  we  will  not  surrender  a foot 
of  the  land  they  are  asking  of  our  Commissioners  at  Ghent. 
Certainly,  Mr.  Moore.  The  British  are  at  the  root  of  the 
Indian  war  upon  the  white  settlers  of  the  Mississippi  Ter- 
ritory. 

Clay.  We  are  fighting  a second  Revolution  in  the  L^nited  States 
and  meeting  defeat  on  the  Canadian  border  and  everywhere 
in  the  North. 

Jackson . The  British  purpose  to  attack  Mobile  and  New  Or- 
leans. This  Indian  trouble  has  been  stirred  up  but  to  di- 
vert and  harrass  us. 

Clay.  They  mean  to  over-run  the  whole  southwest. 

Jackson.  ( With  vigor.)  But  by  the  Eternal,  the  blood  of  the 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


21 


men  who  won  our  liberties  shall  not  be  shed  in  vain.  I’ll 
whip  the  Creeks  and  all  the  rest  of  the  red  devils  in  a month 
if  General  Cocke  and  Major  Lewis  will  victual  us.  Then  I’ll 
run  the  Spaniards  out  of  Florida,  for  they  are  playing  into 
the  hands  of  our  enemies.  After  that  I’ll  send  the  Britons 
packing  home,  even  if  I have  to  take  my  Tennesseeans  clean 
to  hell  and  back  again. 

All . Ah!  Ah! 

( There  is  a great  shouting  outside.) 

Enter  Captains  Hammond  and  Mosley. 

Judge  Pope.  These  young  men  will  go  as  far  as  you  take  your 
Tennessee  troops,  General  Jackson.  Captain  Hammond,  Cap- 
tain Mosley.  ( They  salute , then  shake  hands.) 

Captain  Mosley.  Captain  Hammond  and  I command  two  out  of 
the  five  companies  Madison  County  has  raised  to  fight  with 
your  men. 

Jackson . You’re  welcome,  gentlemen.  There’s  a hard  campaign 
ahead.  ( The  cheering  outside  continues  with  cries  of  “Jack- 
son.”) 

Captain  Hammond.  Our  men  are  eager  to  greet  their  General. 
Will  you  speak  to  them? 

Jackson . Yes. 

Maderra.  From  this  window,  General  Jackson.  (He  draws  the 
curtain  and  the  crowds  outside  press  up  close  to  see  and  hear. 
Maderra  later  holds  a candelabra  high  above  the  speakers’ 
heads  to  light  them.) 

Captain  Mosley.  Judge  Pope  will  you  introduce  the  General 
to  the  men? 

Judge  Pope . And  esteem  it  an  honor  indeed.  (He  and  Jack- 
son  go  to  the  window.) 

Judge  Pope.  Men  of  Madison  County,  General  Andrew  Jack- 
son  is  here.  (Cheering  outside  with  cries  of  “ Jackson ”)  I 
need  not  tell  you  who  Andrew  Jackson  is.  Since  the  Brit- 
ish murdered  his  grandfather  in  Scotland  and  killed  his  fa- 
ther and  two  brothers  in  Carolina,  that  father  who  died  be- 


22 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


fore  he  was  born,  he  has  been  taught  to  hate  tyranny  and  to 
love  freedom.  ( Cheers  outside .)  He  is  marching,  and  you 
will  march  with  him,  to  hold  back  the  savage  hordes  who 
threaten  to  murder  the  women  and  children  of  your  homes, 
as  they  have  murdered  the  women  and  children  and  slaugh- 
tered the  men  of  the  southern  part  of  our  Territry.  ( Cries 

of  “Jackson!”  “Speech!”) 

General  Jackson.  Men  of  Madison  County:  We  are  about  to 

furnish  these  savages  a lesson  of  admonition;  we  are  about  to 
teach  them  that  our  long  forbearance  has  not  proceeded  from 
an  insensibility  to  wrongs,  or  an  inability  to  redress  them. 
They  stand  in  need  of  such  warning.  In  proportion  as  we 
have  borne  with  their  insults  and  submitted  to  their  out- 
rages, they  have  multiplied  in  number  and  increased  in  atro- 
city. But  the  measure  of  their  offenses  is  at  length  fulfilled. 
( Cheers .)  The  blood  of  our  women  and  children  recently 
spilled  at  Ft.  Mims  calls  for  our  vengeance;  it  must  not 
call  in  vain.  (Cheers.)  Our  borders  must  be  no  longer 
disturbed  by  the  warwhoop  of  these  savages  and  the  cries 
of  their  suffering  victims.  (Cheers.)  The  torch  that  has 
been  lighten  up  must  be  made  to  blaze  in  the  heart  of  their 
own  country.  It  is  time  they  should  be  made  to  feel  the 
weight  of  a power  which,  because  it  was  merciful,  they  be- 
lieved to  be  impotent.  (Cheers.)  But  how  shall  a war  so 
long  forborne  and  so  loudly  called  for  by  retributive  justice 
be  waged?  Shall  we  imitate  the  examples  of  our  enemies  in 
tne  disorder  of  our  movement  and  the  savageness  of  their 
disposition?  Is  it  worthy  the  character  of  American  sol- 
diers, who  take  up  arms  to  redress  the  wrongs  of  an  injured 
country,  to  assume  no  better  models  than  those  furnished 
them  by  barbarians?  No,  fellow  soldiers;  great  as  are  the 
grievances  that  have  called  us  from  our  home,  we  must  not 
permit  disorderly  passions  to  tarnish  the  reputations  we  shall 
carry  along  with  us.  We  must  and  will  be  victorious. 
(Cheers.)  But  we  must  conquer  as  men  who  owe  nothing  to 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


23 


chance,  and  who  in  the  midst  of  victory,  can  still  be  mind- 
ful of  what  is  due  to  humanity. 

You  are,  fellow  soldiers,  about  to  penetrate  the  country  of  your 
enemies.  It  is  not  to  be  believed  that  they  will  abandon  the 
soil  that  embosoms  the  bones  of  their  forefathers  without 
furnishing  you  an  opportunity  of  signalizing  your  valor.  Wise 
men  do  not  expect;  brave  men  do  not  desire  it.  You  are 
about  to  leave  your  families  to  avenge  the  cruelties  com- 
mitted upon  your  defenseless  frontiers  by  the  inhuman 
Creeks,  instigated  by  their  no  less  inhuman  allies.  You  shall 
not  be  disappointed.  ( Cheers .) 

If  the  enemy  flees  before  us  we  will  overtake  and  chastise  him; 
we  will  teach  him  how  dreadful,  when  once  aroused  ,is  the 
resentment  of  free  men.  ( He  bows  and  leaves  the  window9 
which  Maderra  closes.  There  are  cheers  without , applause 
within  the  room9  general  handshaking  and  congratulations .) 

Jackson,  ( To  Mosley  and  Hammond.)  I desire  to  hold  a coun- 
cil tonight  with  the  officers  of  the  Madison  County  compan- 
ies. 

Maderra.  This  room  is  at  your  service. 

Jackson.  Thank  you  Maderra,  but  I prefer  to  have  the  officers 
meet  me  in  my  tent  an  hour  from  now. 

Mosley.  Come  Captain  Hammond.  We  will  notify  the  others. 
( Exit  Mosley  and  Hammond 9 bowing  to  the  civilians  and  sa- 
luting the  General  who  returns  their  salute.) 

Judge  Pope.  We  are  all  at  your  service  General.  Will  not  you 
and  Mr.  Reid  join  us  at  supper? 

Jackson.  Thank  you,  Judge  Pope,  but  there  are  too  many  du- 
ties at  hand  to  stop  for  food.  My  orderly  will  give  me  a cup 
of  coffee  between  conferences.  I must  be  going  now.  Good- 
night. And  good  bye.  ( They  all  shave  his  hand,) 

CURTAIN. 


24 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


SCENE  THREE 

Place,  Ft.  Jackson,  formerly  the  French  Ft.  Toulouse,  located 
at  the  confluence  of  the  Coosa  and  the  Tallapoosa  rivers. 
Time.  Spring  1814. 

Scene.  General  Jackson’s  Headquarters. 

PERSONS  CONCERNED. 

Gen.  Andrew  Jackson,  Maj.  Gen.  U.  S.  Army. 

Gen.  Thomas  Pinckney,  U.  S.  Army. 

John  Coffee,  Brig.  Gen.  Tennessee  Cavalry. 

Wm  Carroll,  Brig.  Gen.  Tennessee  Cavalry. 

Major  John  Reid,  Adjutant  to  General  Jackson. 

Col.  Arthur  P.  Hayne,  Inspector  Gen  S.  C.  Troops. 

Col.  Beujamin  Hawkins,  Government  agent  to  Creek  Nation. 
Several  Soldiers,  Guards,  &c. 

INDIANS. 

William  Weatherford,  Leader  of  the  Creek  War  Party. 

Big  Warrior,  Leader  of  the  Creek  Peace  Party. 

(At  rise  of  curtain  Major  John  Reid  is  seated  at  a table  made 
of  planks  laid  across  two  log  sections . He  is  working  with  pa- 
pers and  correspondence  and  smoking  a pipe.) 

Enter  Gen.  Coffee. 

Coffee.  Good  morning  Major  Reid. 

Reid.  ( Glancing  up  and  continuing  to  write.)  Good  morning 
General  Coffee. 

Coffee.  You’re  getting  your  reports  ready  in  anticipation  of  a 
visit  from  General  Pinckney,  I suppose.  (He  lights  his  pipe 
from  Reid’s.) 

Reid.  Yes.  General  Jackson  wants  things  in  apple  pie  order 
for  the  inspection  of  the  Commander  of  the  Southern  De- 
partment. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


25 


Coffee . ( Sitting  and  smoking.)  These  Regular  Army  officers 

are  great  sticklers  for  correct  reports.  “Paper  work.”  Ha! 

Reid.  Naturally  the  War  Department  likes  to  know  what  we  are 
doing  out  here  in  the  heart  of  the  Creek  Nation. 

Coffee.  Well,  Major,  tell  the  War  Department,  with  my  com- 
pliments, that  we’re  raising  hell. 

Reid . General  Jackson  has  ordered  me  to  say  we’re  settling  it. 

Coffee . General  Jackson  ought  to  know.  He  usually  does.  ( Get- 
ting up  and  standing  over  Reid.)  When  I think,  Major 
Reid,  what  difficulties  that  man  has  had  to  meet  out  here 
in  the  wilderness,  what  issues  hinge  on  success,  and  how  every 
power  that  ought  to  help  us  has  done  its  best  to  discourage 
and  to  thwart  us,  I’m  almost  ready  to  “jine  the  Injuns.” 

Reid.  Its  been  pretty  rough  work,  General  Coffee. 

Coffee.  Beginning  with  the  Commissary  which  fell  down  on  us 
and  let  us  starve,  then  the  enlistments  of  the  militia  expir- 
ing in  the  midst  of  the  campaign  and  the  men  encouraged  to 
return  to  their  homes  by  the  politicians  in  power  in  Tennes- 
see; with  the  Volunteers  getting  homesick  and  marching 
away  by  Regiments;  with  the  Government  at  Washington 
and  the  Regular  Army  leaders  failing  to  see  and  to  appre- 
ciate the  importance  of  our  undertaking  and  to  properly  co- 
operate with  it — Bah! 

Enter  Gen.  Carroll . 

Reid.  Good  morning  Gen.  Carroll. 

Carroll.  ( Lighting  his  pipe  from  Coffee’s.)  Good  morning  gen- 
tlemen. {To  Reid.)  Busy  as  usual. 

Reid.  I’m  revising  my  notes  for  General  Jackson’s  final  review 
of  the  Creek  War.  I’ve  mislaid  something  about  the  Battle 
of  Horse  Shoe  Bend.  Ah,  here  it  is! 

Carroll.  If  I were  writing  that  report  I would  pay  a handsome 
tribute  to  the  fighting  qualities  and  the  strategy  of  the  Red 
Man,  especially  the  brave  Chief  Manowa,  equal  in  courage 
to  any  man  that  ever  lived.  It  seems  a crime  to  break  the 
spirit  of  such  a proud  people. 


26 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Coffee . But  the  Creek  nation  is  still  unconquered  as  long  as 
William  Weatherford  is  free.  He  is  a great  leader. 

Enter  Gen.  Jackson . 

Jackson.  ( His  left  are  is  still  in  a sling.  AU  rise  to  greet  him .) 
Good  morning,  gentlemen. 

All.  Good  morning,  General  Jackson. 

Jackson.  Major  Reid,  have  you  gotten  off  the  letter  of  ap- 
preciation to  General  Claiborne? 

j Reid.  Yes,  General.  ( All  sit  on  camp  stools.) 

Jackson . Without  the  aid  of  the  brave  Mississippi  boys  we  might 
still  be  in  the  field.  Their  example  should  inspire  the  sol- 
diers of  America  as  long  as  we  are  a Republic.  When  these 
men  were  exposed  to  the  swamps  and  canebrakes.  to  incle- 
ment weather,  without  tents,  warm  clothing,  shoes  or  food, 
with  their  enlistments  expired,  they  went  nine  days  without 
meat,  subsisting  upon  parched  corn,  fought  an  important 
battle  and  made  secure  the  former  victories  of  our  arms  in 
the  Creek  W ar. 

Carroll.  The  Mississippi  Militia  has  done  splendidly  in  this  war 
of  course,  but  the  local  Volunteers  under  Captain  Sam  Dale 
deserve  due  consideration.  The  Canoe  Fight  will  go  down  in 
history  as  one  of  the  most  picturesque  and  daring  hand  to 
hand  fights  of  this  or  any  other  war. 

Jackson.  And  posterity  must  not  forget  the  services  of  Push- 
mataha and  his  faithful  Choctaw  Braves, 

Reid.  And  the  daring  Cherokees. 

Jackson.  (Rising.)  Yes.  Our  Indian  allies  were  loyal  and  brave. 

Enter  Soldier . 

Soldier.  (Saluting.)  General  Jackson,  I beg  to  report  that 
Major  General  Pinckney  has  arrived  and  is  with  Col.  Hawk- 
ins in  his  tent. 

Jackson . General  Pinckney ! Very  good.  Come  gentlemen,  we 
will  go  greet  him.  (Exit  all  except  Col,  Reid.) 

Enter  Big  Warrior. 

Big  Warrior.  Tell  me,  Major  Reid,  why  does  General  Jackson 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE.  2T 

keep  us  here.  We  have  helped  him  defeat  the  hostile  Creeks 
and  we  want  to  go  home. 

Reid.  Big  Warrior,  you  are  a Chief,  but  General  Jackson  is  the 
biggest  Chief  of  all.  He  knows  that  the  hostile  Creeks  are 
not  'through  fighting,  murdering  and  burning  the  whites  as 
long  as  Red  Eagle  is  free. 

Big  Warrior . Who  can  gather  up  the  whirl-wind? 

Reid . There  is  one  big  Chief  that  will  catch  Weatherford  soon 
— Starvation. 

Big  Warrior . Red  Eagle  has  his  farm  and  slaves. 

Reid . But  he  cannot  feed  the  women  and  children  of  the  whole 
Nation. 

Re-enter  Jackson , Hawkins f Col . Hague , Pinckney 9 Coffee,  and 

Carroll. 

Jackson.  Gen.  Pinckney,  this  is  Major  Reid. 

Pinckney.  Glad  to  meet  yau,  Major.  ( They  shake  hands.) 

Jackson.  And  this  is  Big  Warrior,  leader  of  the  Creek  Peace 
Party  and  our  faithful  ally  in  arms. 

Pinckney.  It  is  always  an  honor  to  meet  a brave  man.  ( They 
shake  hands.) 

Jackson.  Be  seated,  General  Pinckney.  Have  seats  gentlemen. 
{All  sit  on  camp  stools  except  the  Indian  who  refuses  and 
stands , right , his  arms  folded.) 

Pinckney.  I have  come.  General  Jackson,  for  a final  review  of 
the  situation  and  to  ask  why  you  are  waiting  here  at  Fort 
Jackson  when  the  Creek  War  is  over  and  the  British  are 
growing  more  troublesome  around  the  Gulf  and  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi river? 

Jackson.  I came  here,  General  Pinckney,  to  stop  the  Creeks  from 
murdering  the  American  settlers,  whether  on  their  isolated 
farms  or  in  their  improvised  forts  and  stockades.  There  are 
few  of  their  fighting  men  left.  Some  of  these  have  made 
their  escape  to  the  Spaniards  and  British  at  Pensacola,  Flor- 
ida, but  I will  get  them  presently.  Some  are  hiding  in  the 
swamps  and  forests  with  the  expectation  that  Weatherford 


28 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


will  defeat  our  armies  by  some  sort  of  miracle  since  strategy 
and  force  have  failed. 

Pinckney . Then  Weatherford  is  the  cause  of  your  delay  here? 

Jackson.  One  cause,  General,  but  the  chief  one  is  that  I want 
the  representatives  of  the  Creeks  to  come  to  Fort  Jackson 
and  sign  the  Treaty  that  will  open  up  this  fine  country  to 
white  settlers.  That  expectation  may  hold  me  here  for 
weeks,  for  to  make  a satisfactory  and  lasting  treaty  with  a 
dozen  Indian  Chiefs  is  not  the  work  of  a day.  That  is  the 
most  fateful  hour  in  their  history.  They  have  lost  their 
sovereignty  over  their  old  hunting  grounds,  their  warriors 
are  dead  or  vanquished,  their  women  and  chilidren  are  starv- 
ing in  the  woods.  Time  and  I must  wrait  with  Patience  for 
the  bitter  end. 

Pinckney.  You  and  your  men  have  done  valiantly.  Major  Reid, 
may  I look  over  your  file  of  reports  to  the  War  Department 
to  refresh  my  memory  on  the  various  steps  of  the  cam- 
paign? 

Jackson.  I knowr  every  step  by  heart,  General  Pinckney.  On 
November  3,  1813,  General  Coffee,  with  nine  hundred  Ten- 
nessee troops  conducted  the  attack  upon  the  towrn  of  Tal- 
lasehatchie.  He  left  near  two  hundred  red  men  dead  upon 
the  ground  and  captured  eighty  women  and  children.  Not 
a warrior  escaped  to  carry  the  news.  Six  days  later,  Nov. 
9th,  wdth  twelve  hundred  infantry  and  eight  hundred  cav- 
alry, wre  fought  the  battle  of  Talladega.  Three  thousand 
Indians  fought  with  Spartan  valor  for  the  defense  of  their 
land,  for  they  had  been  told  by  leaders  of  the  Peace  Party 
that  if  they  engaged  in  wrar  with  the  wrhites  and  lost  they 
would  be  utterly  ruined. 

General  Pinckney.  What  of  the  battle  with  the  Hillabees? 

Jackson . That  affair  was  a massacre,  not  a battle. 

Pinckney.  What  do  you  mean,  General  Jacgson? 

Jackson.  ( Walking  about , perturbed.)  A body  of  volunteers 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


29 


from  East  Tennessee  had  marched  to  the  seat  of  war  under 
Major  General  John  Cocke.  Gen.  White,  with  a thousand 
men  of  Gen.  Cocke’s  division,  marched  to  Turkey  Town  and 
there  reported  to  me  that  he  would  receive  my  orders.  I 
sent  him  to  negotiate  with  the  Hillabee  people  who  had  sued 
for  peace.  While  on  his  way  to  conclude  these  overtures  for 
surrender  General  White  received  orders  from  General  Cocke 
to  attack  the  Hillabee  towns. 

Pinckney.  (Rising.)  But  he  was  your  messenger  of  peace. 

Jackson . There  wrere  two  Generals  in  the  field,  and  White  chose 
to  take  orders  from  General  Cocke.  He  fell  upon  the  un- 
suspecting Hillabees  and  slaughtered  them.  ‘Truly  that 
should  be  called  a massacre  and  not  a battle. 

Pinckney , And  you  were  thought  by  the  savages  to  have  play- 
ed them  false? 

Jackson.  They  considered  it  an  outrage  that  the  attack  was 
made  on  their  town  while  they  were  waiting  their  messen- 
ger of  surrender,  and  it  was!  (Fiercely.)  By  the  Eternal 
it  was. 

Pinckney.  The  Battle  of  Autossee  was  fought  by  the  Georgians 
under  General  Floyd.  What  happened  there? 

Jackson.  With  a thousand  men  of  the  Georgia  militia  and  four 
hundred  friendly  Indians,  among  them  Chief  Mad  Dog.  the 
attack  was  made.  Two  hundred  warriors  were  killed  and 
the  town  burned.  At  the  same  time  Tallassee  was  destroyed. 
After  finishing  their  wrork  the  Georgians  returned  to  Ft. 
Mitchell  as  there  were  rumors  of  an  attack  at  that  point. 

Pinckney.  You  count  the  battle  of  Emucfau  in  which  you  led 
as  a mere  skirmish  I understand.  (He  laughs.) 

Jackson.  It  was  an  all  day  fight,  with  heavy  losses  on  both 
sides,  but  we  drove  off  our  assailants.  Enitachopca  was 
also  an  obstinate  combat,  in  which  our  army  was  at  one  time 
in  great  peril.  The  Indians  have  boasted  that  they  whipped 
me  and  ran  my  troops  into  the  Coosa  river.  (He  laughs .) 


30 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Pinckney . After  General  Floyd  had  recruited  his  forces  did  he 
not  return  to  the  seat  of  war? 

Jackson.  Yes,  General,  and  was  attacked  in  the  Callabee  Valley, 
but  drove  the  savages  into  the  swamps  with  severe  losses. 
Floyd  then  retraced  his  steps  and  again  the  Indians  claimed 
that  the  results  of  the  fight  were  wholly  theirs. 

Pinckney,  You  wrote  me  you  thought  the  battle  of  the  Horse 
Shoe  Bend  was  the  decisive  battle  of  the  war. 

Jackson.  It  was.  When  I looked  at  the  Muscogee  defenses  the 
Red  Men  had  made  across  the  peninsula  or  bend  of  the 
Tallapoosa  River  they  call  Tohopeka,  I saw  that  the  enemy 
had  penned  themselves  up  for  slaughter.  They  had  calcu- 
lated that  if  their  breastworks  were  taken  they  could  escape 
in  the  hundreds  of  canoes  tied  on  the  river  bank.  Seeing  their 
purposes  I sent  Gen.  Coffee  across  the  river  below  and  his 
Cherokee  Indian  troops  swam  over  at  the  battle  point  and 
removed  the  boats.  Then  I sent  a flag  of  truce,  but  it  was 
fired  upon  and  the  battle  began.  There  I lost  Major  Lem- 
uel Montgomery,  the  flower  of  my  army,  and  thirty-one  other 
valuable  men,  besides  nearly  a hundred  were  badly  wounded. 

Pinckney.  But  the  Indians  lost  heavily. 

Jackson.  Of  their  thousand  warriors  only  a few  escaped  alive. 

Pinckney.  And  thus  was  subdued  the  enemy. 

Jackson.  We  cannot  say  that  with  truth  until  Weatherford  is 
dead  or  captured.  It  is  he  who  has  directed  the  strategy  of 
the  war. 

Pinckney.  The  “Red  Eagle.” 

Jackson.  And  still  not  so  red  as  white. 

(A  noise  is  heard  without.  Big  Warrior  shows  emojion  and 

drains  his  knife  from  his  belt.) 

Enter  Weatherford . 

Weatherford.  ( His  gun  is  lying  across  his  arm,  he  does  not 
speak,  but  a moment  of  stillness  falls , with  every  one  show- 
ing surprise.) 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


31 


Big  Warrior . (Threateningly  t with  his  long  knife  raised.)  Wea- 
therford, we  have  got  you  at  last! 

Weatherford.  ( Pushing  him  aside.)  You  traitor!  If  you  give 
me  any  impudence  I will  blow  a ball  through  your  heart. 
(To  Jackson.)  General  Jackson  I am  Weatherford,  by  my 
people  called  the  “Red  Eagle.” 

Jackson.  How  dare  you  Sir,  ride  up  to  my  tent  after  having 
murdered  the  women  and  children  of  Ft.  Mims?  At  the 
battle  of  the  Holy  Ground  our  soldiers  found  the  scalp 
pole  with  three  hundred  scalps  drying  on  it — men,  women 
and  children,  grey  hair  and  the  sunny  locks  of  little  girls. 
Weatherford,  you  deserve  to  die. 

Weatherford.  I am  a brave  man,  General  Jackson,  and  am  not 
afraid  to  die.  My  warriors  have  fought  and  died  like  free- 
men. We  defeated  the  Americans  at  Burnt  Corn  and  forced 
them  to  flee.  We  reduced  Ft.  Mims  after  a fight  of  five 
hours  and  exterminated  its  numerous  inhabitants.  We  en- 
countered the  large  force  under  General  Coffee  at  Talla- 
sehatchie  and  fought  until  not  a man  was  left  nor  asked  for 
quarter.  We  opposed  you  at  Talladega  and  although  sur- 
rounded by  your  army,  poured  out  our  fire  and  fled  not  till 
the  ground  was  almost  covered  with  our  dead.  We  met 
General  Floyd  at  Autossee  and  are  not  ashamed  of  the 
encounter.  At  Emuckfau  three  times  did  we  charge  upon 
you  and  when  you  retreated  towards  the  Coosa  we  sprang 
upon  you  at  Enoctochopco  and  you  have  said  we  attacked 
you  with  the  courage  and  impetuosity  of  lions.  Two  days 
later  we  sprang  upon  the  army  of  General  Floyd  in  the  Val- 
ley of  the  Calabee  and  with  our  small  band  fought  him  till 
daylight.  At  the  Horse  Shoe  Bend,  a month  later,  you  at- 
tacked us  before  we  were  ready,  but  the  field  of  our  dead 
was  our  field  of  glory,  for  we  fought  like  free  men  and  asked 
no  quarter.  At  the  battle  of  the  Holy  Ground  General  Clai- 
borne will  tell  you  we  died  but  did  not  surrender.  I escaped 
in  order  to  aid  my  people  as  long  as  there  was  life  left  in  me. 


32 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Jackosn.  And  now  you  have  come  to  surrender  upon  this  spot 
where  were  born  your  ancestors.  It  is  well  that  your  white 
blood  cries  out  for  peace  and  order.  In  your  veins  runs  the 
blood  of  Frenchmen,  Scots  and  Georgians — 

Weatherford.  I am  an  Indian.  Upon  this  spot  lived  my  people, 
the  ruling  tribe  of  the  Wind.  From  Chieftains  I am  sprung 
and  a Chieftain  I will  die. 

Jackson . As  the  Zeader  of  your  people  why  did  you  not  council 
them  against  the  talk  of  Tecumseh;  that  talk  that  has  brought 
on  all  this  strife? 

Weatherford . We  gave  the  white  man  a bridle  path  through 
our  nation  and  soon  it  became  a wagon  road  filled  from  end 
to  end  with  white  families  coming  to  take  our  hunting 
grounds  and  to  stay.  We  gave  him  a field  and  he  took  a 
Nation, 

Jackson.  It  is  the  law  of  nature,  Weatherford,  that  the  fittest 
shall  survive.  We  have  met  you  on  your  own  ground  and 
the  victory  is  ours.  The  end  of  your  day  has  come. 

Weatherford.  { With  great  pride).  General  Jackson,  I am  not 
afraid  of  you.  I am  a Creek  warrior.  I fear  no  man.  But 
Pve  come  to  beg  of  you  to  send  for  the  women  and  children 
of  the  War  Party.  Their  fields  and  cribs  have  been  destroy- 
ed by  your  people  who  have  driven  them  to  the  woods  with- 
out an  ear  of  corn.  If  I could  fight  you  any  longer  I most 
heartily  would  do  so.  Kill  me  if  the  white  people  want  it 
done,  but  send  for  the  starving  women  and  children  and 
have  them  fed  for  they  have  done  you  no  harm. 

Enter  Several  Soldiers  Who  Have  Crowded  About . 

Soldiers.  Kill  him,  kill  him,  kill  him ! 

Jackson.  Any  man  who  would  kill  as  brave  a man  as  this  wrould 
rob  the  dead.  {To  Weatherford.)  Weatherford,  the  for- 
tunes of  war  are  against  you.  I accept  your  surrender.  You 
shall  have  every  possible  protection. 

Col.  Hawkins.  {Shaking  the  hand  of  W eatherford.)  I have 
been  long  among  your  people.  I have  grown  grey  in  your 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE.  33 

service.  I shall  not  much  longer  be  your  agent,  but  I shall 
continue  to  be  friendly  and  useful  to  you  while  I live,  and 
my  children,  born  among  you,  shall  be  brought  up  to  do 
the  same. 

Weatherford . I thank  you,  Col.  Hawkins. 

Jackson.  Your  work  is  not  yet  done,  Weatherford.  It  becomes 
the  duty  of  Big  Warrior,  leading  the  Peace  Party  and  your- 
self, the  War  Party,  to  induce  your  chiefs  to  sign  the  peace 
treaty  I have  here  drawn  up.  ( He  picks  up  map  from  table , 
with  a document  ready  for  signatures.) 

Weatherford.  I speak  your  language,  General  Jackson,  but  I do 
not  read  your  signs. 

Jackson.  The  United  States  wants  the  Creek  Nation  to  divide 
its  lands  with  the  settlers  and  to  grant  roads  through  their 
part  of  the  domain.  ( Reading  the  document.)  “The  line 
commences  upon  the  Coosa  and  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  Cherokee  Nation,  and  continues  down  that  river  to  We- 
tumpka  and  thence  easterly  to  Georgia.  East  and  North  of 
that  line,  continuing  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand square  miles,  remains  to  the  Indians,  West  and  South 
of  it  is  secured  to  the  United  States.”  (He  lays  down  the 
document .) 

Gen.  Pinckney.  Gen.  Jackson,  you  and  your  troops  deserve  to 
rest.  I order  you  back  to  Tennessee.  These  Indian  leaders 
will  need  more  time  to  consider  the  peace  terms  with  their 
people  Later  a joint  conference  may  be  held  here  for  the 
formal  signing. 

Weatherford.  A defeated  foe  cannot  dictate  terms.  When  the 
Creek  Chiefs  sign  that  treaty,  as  we  must,  we  will  have  to 
take  up  the  white  man’s  pursuits  or  be  crowded  off  the  face 
of  the  earth.  We  are  no  longer  an  independent  nation,  but 
a ruined  and  a broken  empire.  (He  lays  down  his  gun  on 
the  table , hands  General  Jackson  his  hunting  knifet  bows 
his  head  and  sighs  deeply.) 

CURTAIN. 


J 


34  ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 

SCENE  FOUR 

Place:  Huntsville,  Alabama. 

Time:  Winter  of  1819. 

Scene:  Public  room  of  Maderra’s  Tavern. 

PERSONS  CONCERNED . 

William  Wyatt  Bibb,  Governor  of  Alabama. 

Thomas  Bibb,  (his  brother),  President  of  the  Senate. 

James  Dellet,  Speaker  of  the  House, 

Gen.  Andrew  Jackson,  Guest  of  Honor. 

John  William  Walker,  U.  S.  Senator. 

William  Rufus  King,  U.  S.  Senator. 

Henry  Hitchcock,  Attorney  General. 

William  Kelly,  Member  of  Congress. 

Thomas  Eastin,  State  Printer. 

Howell  Rose,  member  of  the  House. 

Reuben  Saffold,  Judge  of  the  Second  Judicial  Circuit. 

Clement  Comer  Clay,  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit. 

Leroy  Pope,  President  Merchants  & Planters  Bank  of  Huntsville 
Principal  of  Green  Academy. 

Mr.  Parham,  Editor  of  the  Madison  Gazette . 

Gabriel  Moore,  Lawyer,  Member  Constitutional  Convention. 
Archibald  Maderra,  Tavern  Keeper. 

A Methodist  Preacher. 

A Real  Estate  Agent. 

A Slave-drover. 

A Horse  Racer. 

A Cock  Fighter. 

A Peddler. 

Two  Duelling  Seconds. 

Members  of  the  Legislature. 

Home  Seekers  and  Their  Families. 

Some  Ladies  and  Girls  of  Huntsville. 

Servants. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE.  - 35 


( The  curtain  rises 9 showing  Maderra  at  his  desk  trying  to  as- 
sign rooms  to  overflowing  crowds . On  stage  besides  Maderra  are 
a number  of  homeseekers  and  their  families.  These  are  poorly 
dressed  in  some  cases , and  carry  bundles  of  clothing  and  house- 
hold effects . Members  of  the  Legislature  and  others  come  and 
9°-) 

Maderra.  { With  emphasis.)  I tell  you  Sir,  the  Tavern  is  over- 
flowing with  legislators,  politicians,  land  agents,  home  seek- 
ers and  sportsmen.  You  may  sleep  in  the  attic  or  move  on. 
Traveler.  Very  well,  Mr.  Maderra,  I take  the  attic.  Come  wife, 
Come  children.  ( His  wifet  with  an  infant  in  her  arms9  and 
eleven  other  children  ranging  in  ages  from  sixteen  to  babe9 
form  in  line  and  the  father  counts  them  off.)  All  here. 
( They  gather  up  their  bundles  and  follow  their  father  outf 
left.) 

Horse  Racer.  { He  is  dressed  very  flashily  and  carries  a riding 
whip.)  With  that  family  out  of  the  way  there’s  space 
enough  for  a fellow  to  change  his  mind.  Maderra,  I’ll  take 
that  bed  in  the  room  with  the  two  gents  who,  as  seconds, 
are  negotiating  for  a duel.  All  I want  now  is  room  for  my 
racers.  General  Jackson  is  on  his  way  from  Nashville  with 
a string  of  thorough-breds  and  the  Green  Bottom  Inn  is  as 
full  of  sportsmen  as  an  egg  is  of  meat. 

Maderra.  My  stables  are  full,  Sir.  Send  your  horses  to  the 
Green  Bottom  Inn  out  in  the  country.  They  will  be  nearer 
the  race  course  and  the  ostlers  there  will  be  better  able  to 
care  for  them  than  my  grooms. 

Horse  Racer.  I’ll  take  your  advice,  but  I go  with  my  horses 
and  sleep  in  the  hay  loft.  Good-day,  Sir. 

Maderra.  Good-day.  {Exit  Horse  Racer.) 

Another  Traveler.  {After  a conference  with  his  friends.)  Mr. 
Maderra,  as  spokesman  for  the  crowd,  I’ll  say  that  if  you 
can  take  care  of  the  women  and  children  of  our  party  we 
men'  will  camp  with  our  pack-horses  and  wagons  in  the 
grove.  You  can  put  them  all  in  one  room.  What  say  you? 


36 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Maderra . Yes  . I’ll  fix  them  up  somehow.  ( Calling ) Cato. 

Cato.  (He  is  a negro  porter .)  Yaas  Sah. 

Maderra . Show  this  party  up  to  number  ten  and  hare  Dilsy 
look  after  their  comfort. 

Cato . Yaas  Sah. 

One  of  the  women.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Maderra  for  this  kindness. 
We  will  remember  you  in  our  prayers. 

A small  girl.  (Beginning  to  cry  aloud.) 

Her  Mother.  What  ails  you  Sissy? 

The  Girl.  I’ve  got  the  yeer  ache. 

Her  Mother.  (Dragging  her  along  in  spite  of  her  screams.  Exit 
the  whole  party  of  women  and  children  left.) 

The  Spokesman  Traveler.  Come  men.  Lets  get  out  and  see  the 
land  agents.  (Exit  all  the  home-seekers , right.) 

Entr  Duelling  Seconds . 

First  Second.  In  this  book  on  “The  American  Code  of  Honor,” 
I find  the  very  thing  we’re  looking  for.  I will  read  it  to  you. 
(He  reads.)  “When  ever  you  believe  you  are  insulted,  if 
the  insult  be  in  public,  and  by  word  and  behavior,  never  re- 
sent it  there,  if  you  have  self  command  enough  to  avoid 
noticing  it.  If  resented  there  you  offer  an  indignity  to  the 
company,  which  you  should  not.  If  the  insult  be  by  blows 
or  any  personal  indignity,  it  may  be  resented  at  the  moment, 
for  the  insult  to  the  company  did  not  originate  with  you. 
But  although  resented  at  the  moment,  yet,  you  are  bound 
still  to  have  satisfaction  ,and  must  therefore,  make  the  de- 
mand.” 

Second  Second ..  Wait  there  a minute,  friend.  Do  the  rules 
state  how  the  seconds  must  conduct  themselves  when  forced 
to  sleep  together  for  lack  of  room  in  the  tavern  and  one  of 
them  snores  like  a horse  and  keeps  the  other  one  awake  so 
that  he  doesn’t  want  any  thing  for  his  breakfast  but  a good 
swig  of  brandy? 

First  Second.  (Indignantly.)  The  rules  for  seconds  to  a duel 
require  that  each  shall  show  the  other  full  respect. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE.  . 3T 


Second  Second . Then  I propose  that  we  go  get  a drink. 

First  Second.  ( Softening .)  Just  about  three  fingers.  (Exit.) 

Member  of  Legislature.  (Who,  with  others , has  been  looking  on.) 
As  a member  of  the  first  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Ala- 
bama, I am  going  to  introduce  a bill  against  the  inhuman 
and  barbarous  custom  of  duelling.  It  never  settles  the 
question  as  to  who  is  the  best  man,  or  who  was  right  in 
the  quarrel,  and  costs  a lot  of  valuable  lives. 

A Senator . I’m  in  the  Senate,  Sir,  and  will  help  you  make  the 
fight. 

Member  of  Legislature,  Let’s  go  discuss  the  matter  with  those 
seconds.  Ahem — just  about  three  fingers.  (Exit  together.) 

Enter  Principal  Green  Academy . 

Principal . (Very  poliltely  to  two  other  members  of  the  Leg- 
islature.) Good-day,  gentlemen. 

The  Members.  Good-day,  Sir. 

Principal.  I’m  the  principal  of  Green  Academy  of  Huntsville. 
The  first  institution  of  learning  chartered  by  the  Mississippi 
Territory  in  what  is  now  Alabama. 

First  Members.  We’re  glad  to  meet  you,  Sir.  (They  shake 
hands.) 

Principal.  You  may  know,  gentlemen,  that  we  were  authorized 
to  raise  four  thousand  dollars  by  lottery  to  secure  funds  for 
our  buildings.  This  wye  did  some  time  ago.  The  Alabama 
Territorial  Legislature  gave  us  five  hundred  more  last  year 
and  now  we  want  authority  from  your  honorable  body  to 
sell  at  auction  certain  shares  of  the  Planters  and  Merchants 
Bank  of  Huntsville  to  be  issued  for  that  specific  purpose. 

Second  Member.  And  you  want  our  vote,  is  that  it? 

Principal.  (With  increasing  politeness.)  It  seems  to  a poor 
school  master,  gentlemen,  that  it  should  not  be  necessary  to 
beg  this  favor  from  your  honorable  body,  seeing  that  it  is 
education  that  fits  the  future  citizen  for  usefulness. 

First  Member . You  will  have  my  vote. 

Second  Member.  And  mine.  Lets  go  take  a drink  on  the  prom- 
ise. 


38 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Principal,  Excuse  me,  gentlemen.  I do  not  wish  to  appear  unso- 
ciable, but  it  is  against  my  principles  to  imbibe  liquors.  I 
must  be  an  example  to  the  young  gentlemen  of  my  institu- 
tion. I desire,  through  proper  education  of  the  youth  of  the 
land,  to  abolish  the  evil  of  intemperance. 

First  Member.  I like  those  sentiments,  Professor.  Please  en- 
roll my  son  in  your  school  for  the  next  term.  Good-day, 
Sir.  ( The  Legislators  make  their  exit , right,) 

Re-enter  Duelling  Seconds, 

First  Second,  {Both  are  tipsy.)  Paragraph  three  says.  {Read- 
ing.) “When  you  believe  yourself  agrieved  be  silent  on  the 
subject,  speak  to  no  one  about  the  matter,  and  see  your 
friend  who  is  to  act  for  you,  as  soon  as  possible/’  {He 
throws  his  arms  around  his  companion.)  I haven’t  got  a 
thing  against  you,  Bob.  Wh-hat  you  reckon  these  fools 
want  to  fi-g-gh-fight  for? 

Second,  Second.  {Holding  the  Code  of  Honor  up- side -down.) 
Paragraph  four  says — oh,  I’ve  got  the  book  up-side-down. 
{He  laughs  loud  and  foolishly.)  Here  Sam,  there’s  some- 
thing the  matter  with  my  eyes.  You’re  the  scholar  of  the 
family.  You  read  what  paragraph  four  says. 

Maderra.  It  says  that  no  drunk  man  can  stop  in  the  public 
room  of  this  taverns.  {Calling)  Cato. 

Cato,  Yaas  Sah. 

Maderra.  Take  these  men  to  their  room,  and  remove  their  boots. 

Cato.  {After  some  difficulty , leads  the  two  drunk  men  off  left.) 

Enter  Slave-drover. 

Slave-drover,  Well,  Mr.  Maderra,  I seem  always  to  have  the 
good  luck  to  strike  Huntsville  when  the  crowds  are  here. 
I’ve  brought  another  drove  of  niggers.  They’re  fresh  from 
the  old  states  and  most  of  them  can  speak  enough  English 
to  understand  orders.  No  use  asking  for  a room,  eh? 

Maderra,  I can  put  you  up  with  a couple  of  drunk  duellists. 
They’ll  be  sober  by  bed  time. 

Slave-drover.  No  dueling  gents  for  mine.  Town  still  growing? 


39 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 

Maderra.  Growing  fast.  Madison  County  now  has  a population 
of  twenty  thousand  people. 

Austioneer  is  Heard  Without. 

( This  scene  off  stage  should  he  made  very  realistic  with  bidding 

and  selling  by  the  auctioneer  and  buyers.) 

Slave-drover.  Austioneer ! 

Maderra.  Land. 

Slave-drover.  I’d  better  go  out  to  the  crowd  and  show  my 
niggers.  {Exit  left.) 

Enter  Methodist  Preacher. 

Preacher.  Good-day,  Brother  Maderra. 

Maderra.  ( Pleased .)  Why,  here’s  the  Parson.  ( They  shake 
hands.) 

hands.)  So  glad  to  see  you.  Stay  to  dinner. 

Preacher.  Thank  you,  Brother  I’ve  promised  to  dine  with  Sis- 
ter Moore.  But  I do  want  to  meet  some  of  the  big  men 
that  are  gathered  here  for  the  session  of  the  Lgislature. 
You  never  can  tell  when  you  can  find  a lost  soul  to  save. 

Maderra.  There  are  a good  many  lost  ones  floating  around  here 
now.  Politicians,  land  agents,  and  some  just  folks.  You 
passed  a slove  drover  as  you  came  in.  How  do  you  feel 
about  that  institution? 

Preacher.  Slavery?  It  is  God’s  way  of  putting  the  poor  heathen 
in  reach  of  the  gospel  and  of  salvation.  They  were  mostly 
slaves  already  in  their  native  country.  Their  heathen  mas- 
ters were  more  capable  of  cruelties  towards  them  than  the 
meanest  white  man  ever  made  can  be. 

Maderra.  You  are  thinking.  Brother,  of  what  the  white  man 
will  do  for  the  Negro  by  giving  him  his  civilization  and  re- 
ligon,  whle  I am  thinkng  of  what  the  Negro  wll  do  for  the 
white  man.  He  will  develop  a fine  quality  of  self-esteem  in 
the  mind  of  the  superior  race. 

Preacher.  Arrogance  is  already  a ruling  passion  with  the  peo- 
ple of  this  country.  All  the  Protestant  Churches  are  send- 
ing missionaries  among  the  settlements  to  warn  them  against 


40 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


the  sins  that  beset  the  human  heart.  Day  and  night  we  ride 
through  sun,  through  rain,  through  heat,  through  cold,  preach- 
ing and  praying  with  the  men  and  families  who  are  building 
homes  in  the  wilderness. 

Maderra . ( Confidentially .)  Have  you  been  out  to  Green  Bot- 

tom Inn? 

Preacher . No. 

Maderra . When  you  hold  your  meeting  Sunday  at  the  new 
church  don’t  say  any  thing  against  horse-racing.  Some  of 
our  best  members  like  a good  race  and  take  a pride  in  “Gray 
Gander”  the  world’s  record  horse  because  he  was  bred  here. 

A By-stander.  And  parson,  don’t  talk  too  much  agin  card  play- 
ing. There  be  some  of  the  leadin’  prayin’  men  amongst  the 
Methodists  that  know  an  ace  takes  the  trick. 

Another  Bystander.  And  Parson,  as  to  licker — I’d  advise  you 
to  omit  that  subject  in  your  discourse.  A nip  or  two  is  the 
rule  with  the  gentry,  to  say  nothing  of  the  commonality  of 
folks. 

Preacher.  Maderra  tells  me  not  to  preach  against  horse-rac- 
ing, this  brother  tells  me  to  fight  shy  of  the  subject  of 
gambling,  and  you  say  I must  not  say  anything  against 
drunkenness.  What  do  you  men  expect  me  to  preach  about? 

Second  By-Stander..  Jump  on  the  Dutch  and  give  ’em  hell.  There 
aint  one  in  a thousand  miles  of  here. 

First  By-stander.  Come  with  me  gents,  I’ve  got  a jug  of  butter- 
milk down  in  the  well.  That’s  safe,  I reckon. 

( Exit  Preacher  and  the  Bystanders.) 

Enter  a Cock-fighter . 

Cock-fighter.  ( He  has  a game  rooster  under  his  arm.)  Any 
sportin’  gents  ’round  here,  Archie? 

Maderra.  Two  dueling  seconds,  but  they’re  both  drunk. 

Cock-fighter . ( Taking  a chew  of  tobacco.)  I want  a rooster 

fight.  When’s  General  Jackson  cornin’? 

Maderra,  Can’t  tell  you  Shorty.  The  word  has  come  that  he’s 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


41 


bringing  some  of  his  best  race  horses  down  from  Nashville 
to  entertain  the  members  of  the  Legislature. 

Cock-fighter,  In  times  past  I have  saw  the  Gineral  out  at  Green 
Bottom  Inn.  He‘s  a gentleman  of  the  first  water,  is  Old 
Andy.  But  I reckon  he’ll  be  hob-nobbin’  with  the  big-bugs 
this  time.  So  long.  {Exit,) 

Enter  A Peddler , 

Paddler.  {He  has  a huge  pack  on  his  hack.) 

Enter  Several  Ladies  and  Half-Grown  Girls . 

First  Lady,  Oh,  do  show  us  what  you  have  in  your  pack.  Have 
you  any  lace  scarfs?  I must  have  one  to  wear  to  the  Gov- 
ernor’s ball  tomorrow  night. 

Second  Lady,  And  gloves.  I must  have  some  gloves. 

Third  Lady,  I want  a lot  of  things.  Do  hurry  and  open  your 
pack. 

Peddler,  {All  the  while  untying  his  pack.)  I heard  that  the 
ladies  of  Huntsville  had  beautiful  taste  and  have  come  all 
the  way  from  Charleston  with  these  imported  dainties. 
{Showing  lace9  gloves , etc.) 

First  Lady.  All  the  way  from  Charleston.  Think  of  it. 

Second  Lady.  What  a journey. 

Peddler.  If  I can  only  please  the  ladies,  no  trouble  is  too  great. 

A Girl.  Here’s’  a red  ribbon.  Oh,  Mamma,  do  buy  me  a rib- 
bon. 

Second  Girl.  {Taking  a fan  and  walking  about  airly.)  I just 
must  have  this  fan. 

Her  Mother.  That  is  ridiulous.  And  you  only  a chit  of  a girl. 
I’ll  buy  the  fan  for  your  big  sister.  Here  you  may  have 
this  handkerchief. 

Second  Lady.  This  is  too  public  a place  to  do  our  shopping. 
{To  the  peddler.)  Bring  your  wares  to  my  house  and  I 
will  send  for  all  my  neighbors  to  come  and  buy.  {To  her 
party.)  Come  friends,  lets  go  to  my  house.  {Exit  all  the 
party  and  the  peddler.) 

Enter  Real  Estate  Agent  and  Home  Seekers. 


42 


ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 


Agent.  Gentlemen,  it  is  true  that  Madison  County  is  the  richest 
spot  in  the  State  of  Alabama.  A hundred  bushels  of  corn 
and  fifteen  hundred  pounrs  of  seed  cotton  is  the  prevailing 
average  per  acre. 

Buyer,  Put  me  down  for  the  best  five  hundred  acres  you’ve 
got  on  your  list.  Here’s  a check  on  the  Planters  and  Merch- 
ants Bank. 

Agent.  The  Government  Land  Agent  will  stand  back  of  my 
advice.  He  knows  I’m  straight,  and  he  knows,  none  better, 
that  the  Government  lands  are  getting  mighty  short.  Buying 
has  been  so  brisk  he  couldn’t  keep  up  with  the  demand.  Who 
wants  a fine  town  lot? 

Several  together . I do.  I do.  I do.  ( They  get  in  each  other’s 
way  trying  to  get  the  attention  of  the  agent.) 

Maderra . Gentlemen ! Please  remember  this  is  a tavern,  not  a 
real  estate  exchange. 

Agent.  Excuse  me,  Maderra,  but  these  home  seekers  are  so  per- 
sistent they  won’t  let  me  stop  long  enough  to  eat  my  dinner. 
Come  on  boys,  we’ll  settle  this  outside. 

( Exit  agent  and  buyers.) 

Re-enter  the  Legislators . 

First  Member.  Down  in  Marengo  County  we’ve  got  some  oi 
the  first  citizens  of  France  for  settlers.  A number  of  offh 
cers  with  their  friends  and  families,  followers  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte,  have  started  up  a town  they  call  Demopolis.  They 
aim  to  plant  grape  vines  and  olive  trees. 

Second  Member.  In  my  county  we’ve  got  some  of  the  first  fami- 
lies of  old  Virginia,  and  I reckon  you  can’t  beat  that. 

Third  Member.  Georgia’s  turned  loose  a lot  of  “Crackers”  on 
us  down  our  way,  and  as  for  Carolina  folks,  why  you  can’t 
move,  but  you  step  on  ’em. 

First  Member.  We  have  about  given  up  our  old  way  of  “pairing 
off”  and  use  the  justices  and  the  missionaries  now  for  wed- 
dings. 

Second  Member.  The  law’s  taking  hold  everywhere.  Alabama 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE.  43 
is  fast  getting  out  of  the  pioneer  class.  ( The  clock  strikes 


five.) 

First  Member.  Five  o’clock!  Here  come  the  big- wigs  from 
the  Assembly  Hall.  Governor  Bibb,  Speaker  Dellett  and 
Gabriel  Moore.  Come  up  to  my  room  boys.  ( Exit  legisla- 
tors.) 

Enter  Bibb9  Dellet  and  Moore. 

Moore.  I want  to  congratulate  you,  Governor  Bibb,  upon  the 
splendid  message  you  have  issued  to  the  people.  It  was 
appropriate  that  you  should  express  our  gratitude  to  the  Al- 
mighty for  the  fine  crops  we  have  made  and  the  general 
health  of  the  public.  Especially  should  we  be  grateful  for 
the  splendid  Constitution  the  Convention  framed.  No  state 
in  the  Union  has  a saner  or  finer  document  to  base  its  laws 
upon  than  has  the  new  State  of  Alabama. 

Speaker  Dellet . And  Governor  Bibb,  let  me  thank  you  for  em- 
phasizing the  liberality  of  Congress  in  the  bestowal  of  sev- 
enty-two sections  of  land  for  a Seminary  of  learning,  and 
the  donation  of  the  sixteenth  section  of  every  township  for 
schools  and  five  per  cent  of  the  proceeds  of  public  lands  for 
internal  improvements.  In  a pioneer  country  there  is  dan- 
ger of  neglecting  education,  and  we  must  have  bridges,  fer- 
ries, and  good  roads  to  enable  the  children  to  go  to  school 
and  to  get  our  cotton  to  market. 

Gov.  Bibb.  I thank  you  gentlemen,  for  your  commendations. 
Yes,  Mr.  Dellet,  our  Federal  Government  has  been  far-sight- 
ed in  the  provsions  you  mention. 

Moore.  When  President  Monroe  surprised  us  in  Huntsville  with 
a visit  in  June  I took  the  liberty  of  expressing  the  appre- 
ciation Alabama  feels  for  the  selection  he  made  for  our 
Territorial  Governor.  We  have  confirmed  his  judgment  by 
electing  you  to  be  our  first  State  Governor  also. 

Gov.  Bibb.  This  is  very  gratifying,  Mr.  Moore. 

Speaker  Dellet.  And  so  you  have  had  the  town  of  Cahaba  laid 
off  as  directed  by  the  Territorial  Legislature  and  the  tern- 


44  ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 

porary  statehouse  contracted  for! 

Gov.  Bibb . And  have  sold  a hundred  and  eighty  lots  for  one 
hundred  and  twenty-four  thousand  dollars.  The  money  is 
now  in  the  Planters  and  Merchant’s  Bank  of  Huntsville. 

Enter  Thomas  Bibb  and  John  W . Walker. 

fiibb  and  Walker.  Good  afternoon,  gentlemen. 

Gov.  Bibb . Mr.  Walker,  I have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  con- 
gratulating you  upon  your  selection  as  our  first  United  States 
Senator.  ( Shakes  his  hand.) 

Enter  Senator  King. 

Gov.  Bibb.  And  here  is  our  other  Senator.  Mr.  King  we  are  for- 
tunate. ( Shakes  his  hand.) 

King,  And  we  certainly  are  indebted  to  Georgia  for  sending  us 
the  Bibbs.  Here,  William  Wyatt,  our  Governor,  and  here, 
Thomas,  President  of  our  State  Senate,  and  as  one  might 
say  the  heir  apparent  to  the  throne. 

Enter  Hitchcock . 

Gov.  Bibb.  Mr.  Hitchcock,  are  you  acquainted  with  these  gen- 
tlemen ? 

King.  And  New  England  has  given  us  our  first  Attorney  Gen- 
eral. Congratulations,  Mr.  Hitchcock. 

Enter  Howell  Hose. 

Bose.  Good  evening,  gentlemen.  I have  some  interesting  news 
for  you. 

Gov.  Bibb.  We  will  welcome  it,  Mr.  Rose. 

Bose.  General  Andrew  Jackson  has  arrived. 

King.  The  guest  of  honor  of  the  Alabama  Legislature! 

( Noise  of  (Churrahs  for  Jackson”  outside.) 

Bose.  The  people  will  hardly  let  the  General  pass,  he  is  so  pop- 
ular. 

Senator  Bibb.  Mr.  Rose,  your  joint  resolution  granting  to  Gen- 
eral Jackson  a seat  in  each  branch  of  the  Legislature  was 
unanimously  passed  by  both  bodies  this  afternoon.  The  hero 
of  the  Creek  War  and  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  is  undoubt- 
edly presidential  timber. 


ALABAMA,  OR  THE  MAKING  OF  A STATE. 


45 


Enter  Jackson, 

{He  is  accompanied  by  Judge  Pope , Reuben  Saffold  and 

Clement  C,  Clay.) 

Rose.  {Stepping  forward.)  General  Jackson.  {Shake  hands.) 

Jackson.  I’m  happy  to  see  you  again,  Rose. 

Rose.  General  Jackson,  it  is  a great  honor  to  introduce  you  and 
the  Governor  of  Alabama,  the  Honorable  William  Wyatt 
Bibb,  formerly  Congressman  and  Senator  from  Georgia,  and 
now  our  first  regularly  elected  Governor. 

Governor  Bibb.  General  Jackson,  on  behalf  of  the  people  of  Ala- 
bama, I give  you  a most  cordial  welcome  to  Huntsville,  our 
temporary  Capitol.  You  have  been  tendered  the  privilege  of 
sitting  with  both  branches  of  our  legislative  body  and  every 
one  wishes  you  to  command  him  at  your  pleasure. 

Jackson.  These  are  honors  I highly  esteem. 

Governor  Bibb.  If  there  is  any  other  man  living  outside  the 
confines  of  our  State  who  has  made  so  large  a contribution 
to  the  welfare  of  its  people  as  yourself  I do  not  know  him. 

Rose  and  others.  There  is  none.  No  one  has. 

Jackson.  With  the  help  of  the  boys  I did  the  best  I could  to 
make  secure  the  lives  and  property  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Alabama.  The  success  of  the  undertaking  is  my  highest 
reward. 

Enter  Eastin. 

Eastin.  {Bowing  respectfully.)  Governor  Bibb,  I have  the  hon- 
or of  handing  you  a copy  of  the  Resolution  passed  by  Con- 
gress admitting  Alabama  to  the  Union  of  States.  It  is  fresh 
from  the  press. 

Governor  Bibb.  General  Jackson,  this  is  Mr.  Eastin,  the  State 
printer. 

Jackson.  I’m  glad  to  meet  you,  Sir.  {Looking  at  the  document.) 
I should  like  to  hear  this  read,  Governor  Bibb.  I know  the 
other  gentlemen  present  will  endorse  my  request. 

Gov.  Bibb.  Senator  Walker,  as  you  were  President  of  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention  will  you  please  read  the  Congressional 


46  ALABAMA  CENTENNIAL  COMMISSION. 

Resolution  declaring  us  duly  admitted  to  the  Union  of 
States? 

Walker.  With  pleasure,  Sir.  ( Taking  the  document  and  read- 
ing.) 

RESOLUTION  DECLARING  THE  ADMISSION  OF  THE 
STATE  OF  ALABAMA  INTO  THE  UNION. 

(Approved  Dec.  14,  1819). 

Whereas,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  on  the 
second  day  of  March,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  nineteen, 
entitled,  “An  Act  to  enable  the  people  of  the  Alabama  Territory 
to  form  a constitution  and  State  Government,  and  for  the  ad- 
mission of  such  State  into  the  Union  on  an  equal  footing  with 
the  original  states,”  the  people  of  the  said  Territory  did,  on 
the  second  day  of  August,  in  the  present  year,  by  a convention 
called  for  that  purpose,  form  for  themselves  a constitution  and 
State  Government,  which  Constitution  and  State  Govern- 
ment, so  formed,  is  republican  and  in  conformity  to 
the  principles  of  the  articles  of  compact  between  the  origi- 
nal States  and  the  people  and  States  in  the  territory  northwest 
of  the  river  Ohio,  passed  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  July,  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  so  far  as  the  same  have 
been  extended  to  the  said  territory  by  the  articles  of  agreement 
between  the  United  States  and  the  State  of  Georgia. 

Resolved,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  State 
of  Alabama  shall  be  one,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be  one,  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  on 
an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States,  in  all  respects  what- 
ever. 

— U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  608. 

( The  orchestra  or  piano  sounds  the  notes  of  “Alabama”  and  the 
audience  rises  and  sings9  with  those  on  the  stage 9 while  a child 
goes  to  the  center  of  the  stage  and  waves  the  State  flag.) 

CURTAIN . 


UNIVER9ITY  OF  IUUNOI9-URBANA  - 


